Some strategies would involve the United States and NATO members stepping in with aid to make their presence known. Others suggest reaching out through trade and alliances to bolster stability. As a comparison, Wilson points to Turkey and Greece as examples where their involvement with NATO increased stability in the face of unrest.

Ukraine is not helpless, either. Longstanding traditions of corruption are a big problem. Recent leaders have enriched themselves at citizens’ expense by making bad business deals with Russia. Ideally, whoever wins this weekend’s elections will make fighting a corruption a priority. Violent clashes have been threatening that process, though, so there are still a lot of obstacles to overcome.

Ukraine could shift its mindset on energy too, says Wilson. Right now, the country is extremely dependent on Russian natural gas. But, says Wilson, the country is also one of the least energy efficient countries in the world. The United Nations Development Programme agrees.

With that in mind, Wilson says, the best way for Ukraine to strengthen its security would be an aggressive energy efficiency policy.

Wilson raised the same idea when he testified before a Senate subcommittee in 2012:

The best way to strengthen Ukraine’s sovereignty, and to mitigate Ukraine’s dependency on Russia for natural gas, would be to pursue an aggressive energy efficiency program and to liberalize its antiquated energy sector inviting in investors and promoting transparency.

Basically, a reduction in demand for fossil fuels, coupled with possible markets in the West, could reduce Ukraine’s need for natural gas from Russia. That, in turn, would reduce its dependency.

This seems like an ambitious strategy. Yet it seems to make sense in economic and political terms.

Meanwhile, closer to home, Ohio remains in the throes of a debate over energy efficiency.

So far, the state has been making substantial progress under current renewable energy and energy efficiency targets. Supporters of energy efficiency say it saves consumers money at the same time that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Ohio’s progress on energy efficiency and renewable energy should also position the state well when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency comes out with its carbon emission rules for power plants next month. That’s the word from Rebecca Gaspar of World Resources Institute and Brennan Howell at the Ohio Environmental Council in a press conference held earlier today.

Yet even while there are rumblings of a possible compromise, some of Ohio’s lawmakers seem determined to derail both renewable energy and energy efficiency. Leading them is Cincinnati-area Republican Bill Seitz, who chairs the Ohio Senate’s Public Utilities Committee.

During debates yesterday on House Bill 483, Seitz spoke out against an amendment that called for all Ohio General Assembly committee hearings to be broadcast. Sponsor Charleta Tavares of Columbus pointed out that much of the substantive work on bills gets done in committees, not on the floors of the Ohio House or Senate.

But the amendment’s language was too broad, stated Seitz. It wouldn’t just apply to hearings for the standing committees. It could also cover ad hoc committees and commissions, such as those for criminal sentencing and the energy efficiency review commission.

Image (c) Kathiann M. Kowalski.

That review commission doesn’t exist yet but has been proposed in various versions of Senate Bill 310. And Seitz made it sound as if he would prefer that the study committee’s proceedings not be broadcast. That would mean fewer opportunities for people across the state to follow whatever happens in that committee and who advocates for what.

Also during yesterday’s debate in the State Senate, Seitz spoke strongly against a proposed amendment that would have removed a new provision adjusting setbacks for wind turbines. Seitz claimed that the turbines present clear health and safety risks, including noise.

Beyond that, the spinning turbine blades can create a strobe effect with sunlight, Seitz said. Imagine being on the 18th hole at the golf course.

“Even Tiger Woods” would have a hard time making his shot with a wind turbine in the vicinity, Seitz said.

The proposed amendment failed. And the bill’s language actually seemed more concerned with residences than golf courses.